Log-splitter



25, 1956 o. c. SPANENBERG 3,

LOG-SPLITTER Filed July 15, 1964 29 29 /6 INVENTOR. OTTO C. $PANENBERG BY/ZZZXQQ 2 United States Patent 3,280,864 LOG-SPLITTER Otto C. Spanenherg, Rockford, Mich. Filed July 13, 1964, Ser. No. 382,033 2 Claims. (Cl. 144-193) This invention relates to the construction of machines for splittin logs. This ancient and honorable manual activity has long since given way to machinery, and many machines have been devised for forcing a wedge into a log to separate it into one or more segments. Hydraulic actuation has frequently been used because of its simplicity and tremendous available mechanical advantage. Hydraulic pressure is available on most farm tractors, and the preferred form of this invention arranges the machine as a trailer vehicle for connection to such a tractor.

In splitting logs, it is important that a split be entered at only one end, as it is practically impossible to split at both ends along the same plane of fibers. While one end of the machine must avoid a splitting action, it must nevertheless eliminate any interference with the separation of the log so that power and force are not wasted. The non-splitting supporting abutment can resist splitting in two ways: (a) by lateral friction against separating movement of the end of the log, and (b) by generating a reaction force against the outside edges of the log, parallel to the log, which creates a moment urging the log to the unsplit condition. The present invention removes both of these tendencies by providing a convex abutment which localizes the pressure against the log on a central plane. The support has a radius of curvature greater than that of the splitting wedge, and the result of this is to localize the split at the sharper point. Preferably, the abutment is incorporated in a wedge-shaped member extending from the rounded engaging portion. Either the sharp or the rounded member can be fixed, with the opposite member being moved by the hydraulic cylinder. The components of the machine can be adjustably mounted on a beam overhanging wheel axles, providing very convenient access and working height. The several features of the invention will be analyzed in detail through a discussion of the particular embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a complete machine incorporating this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale of the active portion of the machine.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the portion of the machine shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view showing the machine as a split is generated in a log.

The components of the preferred form of the machine are mounted on a central beam 10, one end of which is provided with the conventional fittings 11 and 12 associated with the towing and lifting equipment of a farm tractor. The opposite end of the beam is preferably adapted as a hitch 13 which can be coupled to any following vehicle such as a box trailer for carrying firewood. The fixed abutment 14 is generally V-shaped in configuration, and is mounted with the apex 15 vertical so that the logs will normally fall to either side of the beam as they are split. The abutment 14 may either be welded to the beam, as shown, or may be bolted in any convenient arrangement.

The moving Wedge 16 is preferably welded to the carrier 17, which has side portions 18 and 19 embracing the opposite edges of the I beam 10 to utilize the beam as a guideway. The central plate 20 of the carrier 17 is engaged by the fork 21 at the end of the rod 22 of the hydraulic cylinder 23. The opposite end of the cylinder is provided with a fork 24 engaging the bracket 25 secured 3,280,864 Patented Oct. 25, 1966 to the beam 10 by suitable bolts as shown at 26. Standard hydraulic drive controls are normally associated with the cylinder 23, and are not shown on the drawing. Actuation of these controls will extend or retract the piston rod 22, driving the moving wedge 16 toward or away from the abutment wedge 14.

In the illustrated arrangement, the apex 27 of the moving wedge 16 is rounded to a radius of curvature substantially greater than that of the edge 15 of the abutment wedge 14. The opposite arrangement could also be used, if desired. Extension of the piston rod 22 will apply pressure along the rounded edge 27 against the face 28 of the log 29, driving the face 30 of the log into the sharp edge 15 to induce a split at that point. As splitting commences, the halves of the log 29 on the opposite side of a vertical plane between the edges 15 and 27 will tend to rock on the rounded edge 27 as the splitting proceeds in the manner shown in FIGURE 4. The components of the member 16 will therefore provide no resistance to the continued splitting action, nor will there be any resistance generated against the commencement of the splitting action as a result of undesirable support on the face 28 near the edges of the log.

Preferably, the beam 10 is provided with a member 31, which may be welded conveniently to an axle 32 for mounting wheels 33 and 34. The overhang of the beam 10 to the left, as shown in FIGURE 1, provides excellent access to the area between the members 14 and 16 for the placement and removal of logs as the splitting operation proceeds.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is my intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.

I claim:

1. A log splitter, comprising:

a beam;

a carrier slidably mounted on said beam;

an abutment bracket fixed with respect to said beam;

a hydraulic actuator connected to said bracket and said carrier to induce movement of said carrier with respect to said beam;

first and second wedge members mounted on said beam and carrier, respectively, with the apices thereof disposed in parallel relationship, one of said apices having a substantially greater radius of curvature than the other, whereby splitting of logs is localized at the apex having the smaller radius of curvature; and

wheel means including an axle secured to the central portion of said beam transversely with respect thereto.

2. A log splitter, comprising:

a beam;

a carrier slidably mounted on said beam;

a bracket fixed with respect to said beam;

a hydraulic actuator connected to said bracket and said carrier to induce movement of said carrier with respect to said beam; and

first and second wedge members mounted on said beam and carrier, respectively, with the apices thereof disposed in parallel relationship, one of said apices having a substantially greater radius of curvature than the other, whereby splitting of logs is localized at the apex having the smaller radius of curvature.

No references cited.

DONALD R. SCHRAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A LOG SPLITTER, COMPRISING: A BEAM; A CARRIER SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID BEAM; AN ABUTMENT BRACKET FIXED WITH RESPECT TO SAID BEAM; A HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR CONNECTED TO SAID BRACKET AND SAID CARRIER TO INDUCE MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIER WITH RESPECT TO SAID BEAM; FIRST AND SECOND WEDGE MEMBERS MOUNTED ON SAID BEAM AND CARRIER, RESPECTIVELY, WITH THE APICES THEREOF DISPOSED IN PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP, ONE OF SAID APICES HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER RADIUS OF CURVATURE THAN THE OTHER, WHEREBY SPLITTING OF LOGS IS LOCALIZED AT THE APEX HAVING THE SMALLER RADIUS OF CURVATURE; AND WHEEL MEANS INCLUDING AN AXLE SECURED TO THE CENTRAL PORTION OF SAID BEAM TRANSVERSELY WITH RESPECT THERETO 